The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1887-08-31

shops the citizen labOrerS are admitted to
the yard. and proceed to their shops.
Work begins at Z sharp.
There are three dungeons in the prison
the situation of which is the same as other
cells, and differ only in being bare Of all
furniture aud closed with blind door.
The temperature of these cells is nearly
equable throughout the year, if anything
a trltie warmer in winter than in summer.
COnvicts are confined on bread and water
diet. This is the only form of physical
punishment. The deputy warden visits
these cells every morning and investigates
the cases. releasing or renlanding the cul-
pitt according to the merits of his case.
The deputy warden OF his assistant makes
detailed inspection of the entire prison
each morning, visiting the shops, attend
ing to requests of prisoners, hearing eom-
plants, and adjusting all matters within
their respective jurisdiction.
The physician calls at 1880 a. m. The
sick and disabled are summoned to the
hOspital,-,where he treats them. Those UNI
able to work but not seriously i'll are sent
to their cells where they receive medical
trearment. and remain until recovered.
One hundred and thirty-siX men were dis
abled in July, incurring a total loss of 293 (
working days. At II noon the men are
marched to the cell house, the line breaking at
the entrance, each man passing by the near
est route to his cell. where he finds his dim
her awaiting him, having been placed there
some three minutes previous. 1t consists
of roast beef and potatoes, pork and beans,
corned beef and cabbage, plain boiled cod
fish with butter and potatoes, vegetables as
the season and exchequer afford.
At 12:45 the signal is given and the ope-
ration of the morning repeated, work be-
ginning at 1. Eleven shops are operated by
the contract, the principal work being the
manufacturing of threshing machines. black
Smithing, SaSheS and doors, cabinet making
and foundry work. In the two last
named, citizens are employed almost eX-
cluSvely, although there are plenty of con-
victs capable of skilled labor in both.
About 2 p. III. is the hour set apart by the
warden to receive convicts who desire to
see him on business, or make complaints.
petition for ,favOrs, argue their cases. sub
scribe for THE MIRROR, and adjust any
family differences which have batfied the
ingenuity of the deputy warden or his assis-
tant. This ceremony, to which admittance
is had by card. and formal only in that par
ticular. is conducted upon democratic prin-
cipals, free speech being the convict's ina
lienable and unrestricted right.
At p. IN. work is suspended, the men
march to their cells in the same regular
order already indicated, receive their. sup
per. which consists of bread and tea every
night, with either butter, apple sauce,
prune sauce, cheese, mush. boiled rice, and
other delicacies. The evening is passed in
reading and working fancy articles until $3.50
when the lights go out-or are put out
with force of arms by the guard. and the
men turn in and sleep, if they can. till the
pandemonlal summons already referred to re-
calls them to the hard legal fact of another
day of hum-drum, diabolical, penal servi-
tude. F. p. l..